Phenomenal skate session in the experimental landscapes of the Phæno Science Center on14th May *Opened to international skateboarders for just one day

Experiment successful - Frontside 50-50 over 15 stair set with kink

14th May 2007 – On 14th May the Phæno opened its doors for just one day for a very special project: Red Bull Access All Areas. Nine world-class skateboarders experimented in the unique architecture of the Phæno, displaying phenomenal, breathtaking tricks. Although this is not in keeping with the Phæno concept, these are not suitable to be tried out by non-professionals!

The nine skaters, including Jürgen Horrwarth, Mack McKelton, Michael Mackrodt and Philipp Schuster had arrived in Wolfsburg from all parts of Germany and Austria the day before. They were all invited and couldn't wait to participate in the Red Bull Access All Areas project - skateboarding with no limits, no bans, and no compromises!

Their eyes glowed as they went around the architecture of Zaha Hadid's extraordinary building for the first time, experimenting on some of the exhibits but each one really thinking mainly about which of the demanding spots would be best for his personal talents and preferences. Right from the start, five different spots were laid down in the Phæno Science Center: exhibits were pushed aside, and more lighting was rigged up for the filmers and photographer who wanted to capture the session.

On Monday morning all the guys were there punctually at 10 a.m. and started warming up. The surface around the exhibits was close to perfect for skating. Then the way was clear to the bank in front of the Fire Tornado, a bank channel, a London gap, a 15 stair set and a window curb.

The big moment came when Mack McKelton did the 15 set despite the huge kink at the end of the handrail. The spectators held their breath and you could hear them breathe out again in relief: "Man, even in the States they wouldn't dare to try it with a kink like that- respect, Mack!" was the unanimous tenor amongst the other skaters. Wilko Grüning got the same enthusiasm when he did the 15 set with an ollie over rail, not forgetting to get some tips from his buddy Paco Elles beforehand.

Philipp Schuster from Austria was the only one who dared to go over the bank channel, doing a gap ollie over the almost three meter wide passage connecting two exhibition levels. The Fire Tornado flickered wildly as the skaters cruised between the exhibits towards the bank, where they broke out their tricks in front of the flames. Last, not least, the architecturally unconventional windows of the Phæno made a stylish setting for the skaters' final tricks before, at 6 p.m., the Phæno closed its doors to skaters for ever.

TV tip: May 22nd 07 at 23.10 on MTV – more about the session in the Phæno

Skaters participating:

Jürgen Horrwarth (Germany)
Philipp Schuster (Austria)
Jan Kliewer (Germany)
Mack McKelton (Germany)
Michael Mackrodt (Germany)
Paco Elles (Germany)
Wilko Grüning (Germany)
Michalo Prostran (Serbia)